Chiefs Roster: Nikko Remigio is ready for NFL’s new kickoff formations

For players on the fringes of NFL squads, being able to play on special teams has always been one of the ways they can grab a roster spot. But thanks to the league’s new kickoff rules, it could be even more important in 2024. All across the NFL, teams have been running crash courses about special teams formations players have never used.

Speaking after Wednesday’s Kansas City Chiefs training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, wide receiver Nikko Remigio — who is reported to be in the team’s top pair of kick returners — believes he is ready for the new alignment.

“I feel extremely comfortable,” said the second-year pro. “It’s very different. It tends to happen a bit quicker — which I believe tends to my game a little bit more. You’ve got to change direction in a quicker amount of time and a shorter amount of space.”

Remigio expects the league’s teams to adjust their approaches in the coming months.

“It’s going to be fun to see how it evolves,” he predicted. “It’s something that’s going to be constantly changing, I think, as the season goes on. To be in the position that I’m in now — to be learning and seeing the different ways that Coach is thinking? I’m excited to see what it can evolve into.”

Opportunities in the return game drove Remigio’s decision to sign with Kansas City after he was not selected in 2023’s NFL Draft.

“I felt like there was an opportunity at returner,” he recalled, “and I mean — the Chiefs, man — you’ve got the opportunity to play with the Super Bowl champions? It’s hard to say no to that for me. I felt like if I’m able to compete here, I can compete anywhere.”

Unfortunately, Remigio suffered a shoulder injury after leading the team with 71 receiving yards in the Chiefs’ 2023 preseason opener. The Fresno State product was placed on injured reserve, ending his rookie season before it had a chance to start.

Remigio does not, however, feel his time was wasted. He believes what he learned being with the team last season — even as an injured player — is helping him during his second stint in St. Joseph.

“I think the obvious one is just familiarity with the offense,” he observed. “I’m sure you guys have heard numerous times how extensive and intricate the details and little nuances of the offense are… I think being able to sit back for a year and kind of see how that’s evolved is a big one for me that I’m trying to apply now.”

Remigio has seen lots of offensive snaps in St. Joseph — particularly because the Chiefs have had to deal with multiple injuries and illnesses among their wideouts. Reporters wanted to know what part of his prior experience was helping him make the most of these opportunities.

“I think just reads,” said Remigio, “like if I’m going to sit in this zone or how I’m wrapping around the defenders — [plus seeing] different zone looks and feeling space. A lot of the offense is feeling space — being able to find big open fields of grass — to be able to run to and feel.

“Those have been the biggest things that I think [have made] the biggest difference. Like, you’re not just running the straight lines on the playbook.”

In daily media conferences following camp practices, Remigio has received shoutouts from head coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, special teams coordinator Dave Toub and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Reid gave Remigio another nod on Wednesday.

“He’s getting better [with] every rep he gets,” the coach reiterated. “That’s a positive thing for us.”

Remigio has a special motivation for this season. While he’s happy the Chiefs are once again Super Bowl champions, he wants to contribute to the team’s next title.

“I was there on the sideline,” he recalled from Super Bowl LVIII in February. “I mean, I think that’s every kid’s dream — to be able to be at the Super Bowl and see that. But if I’m to be completely honest, it was a bit of a mix of emotions for me.

“I’m a competitor at heart. To not be able to be out there on the field — kind of just being on the sideline supporting? Obviously, I’m grateful to be in that position — but I want to play.”

Since he’s a former undrafted free agent coming off of an injury, it’s easy to doubt Remigio’s chance at making the team. Being doubted, however, is nothing new to the 24-year-old.

“[I’m] just staying resilient,” he said of his mindset. “That’s really been kind of the moral of my entire journey: just staying resilient and continuing to punch. I’ve always been an underdog at every single level of football that I’ve played.

“So being in this position is nothing new to me. [I’m] just making sure that I’m still fighting — being the best version of myself — every single day.”